The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-12-10

TRAVELS.
Unpleasant reflections are apt to arise to
any one on being introduced to his proba-
BILE undertaken, or sexton, but as all OF us
who behave ourselves with proper decOrum
while living may reasonably hope to have
a funeral as the end Of our earthly pilgrim.
age, and as no we'll regulated funeral can
be conducted without the aid Of both OF
these semi official personages; and espec-
tally as the undertaken, to whom we intro
duce our readers this week, Is gentleman
of wonderful affability, sociability and
kindness,-who exhibits In his pleasant
and cheerful countenance and behavior
none of the gloomy atmosphere of his oc-
cupation, but meets and greets you with
such earnest cordially as to make meeting
him pleasure. We need not ask you to
grasp his friendly hand, In your minds;
and now we proceed to tell you of his
eventful live:
HIS BIRTH PLACE.
Peter Russell was born In Drogheda,
Ireland, June Goth, 1910; which city Is an
eastern seaport town of the Emerald Isle
on the Boyne river, four miles from Its
exit into the sea, and twenty-three English
miles north of the city Of Dublin. Then
1t was a city Of $4,000 inhabitants or more,
but, owing to the unjust and oppressive
laws which England has for 30 many hun
dred years imposed upon Poor Old Erin, y
and the suppression of manufactures, and
innumera obstacles thrown In the way
Of Irish liberty and progress, her popula.
ton has decreased since then. But Drogh-
eda has for ages been fine old Irish city,
and Is noted for splendid Roman Catholic
cathedral, viaduct ninety.five feet In
height which carries the Dublin d. Belfast
Railway across the Boyne; a custom house
and several converts; also manufactures
of cotton and linen fabrics steam engines,
&c, "and steamers of the largest size safely
ascend the river TO this port says Gazet-
teer. But when Mr.. Russell lived there,
most of these things were yet to be. Pet
er's father was also named Peter, and his
mother was Mar garet Sherlock, whose
father was wealthy farmer, and 80 had
been his ancestors for generations; and of
the same respected calling we're Peters
fathers fathers to remote times. His faith.
or owned great mill, the first one In
Drogheda, whose age was shrouded in
mystery and Its builders name lost In ira
dition. 1t stood on small stream called
the mamie Water" about two miles
from the histosic Boyne. Peter Russell's
father, In addition TO his occupation OF
carrying on q farm and conducting a grist
mill, also ran grocery store In Drogheda
and besides was q distiller by trade, hi
father having spent goo apprentice money
for instructing him In the secrets of thai
trade! He became afterwards part owner
Of q distilery located across the way from
his store. He never had any special love
for the actions of the British Government
which levied heavy tax upon liquors
which had to be paid as fast as the spirit
were made.
POOLING THE 8AUGERs.
To collect this tax, the government ap
pointed set Of officers. called "gsugers,
and another axciseman. 1t was the dut,
Of the former to measure the quantity o
liquor daily manufactured, and of the latte
TO collect the tax thereon. These officer
were invariably men who were the natur
raj born fees Of the distillery, and Viss oersa
The maker Of spirits and his ass:ss.ntl
shoueha II Legitimate . we'll - pretty goo